Celtic striker Daizen Maeda has revealed he said no to a Parkhead transfer last summer but always planned to reunite with father figure Ange Postecoglou at Parkhead.
The 24-year-old has made a telling impact since leaving Yokohama F.Marinos as he helped Celtic to the title with six league goals in 14 starts. Maeda reunited with Postecoglou after the Australian also brought him to Japan in 2020 initially on loan from Portuguese outfit Maritimo, before making the move permanent and he repeated that at Parkhead.
And the seven-times capped Japan international admits his bond with Postecoglou is unbreakable. He said: "Ange has the same character at Yokohama and at Celtic. Maybe that's why I keep following him or maybe it's because he's like a father to me! At Celtic meetings, I often hear the same stories as from my time at Marinos and no matter how many times I hear them, they always resonate with me. For me, he is a very good coach. His style is that the players on the wings have to get in the middle for crosses from the other side. I think this suits me. Yes, my speed is important, but what has changed is my awareness. The reason why I repeatedly get in front of the goal is simply that I want to score.
"If it takes me ten times of running into the centre to score one goal then ok. I don't want to regret it if I should have gone in the middle when I had the chance, so I have started going in front of the goal anyway. Celtic had actually asked me last summer, but I had turned them down because Marinos were also fighting for the championship at that time. Ange told me to go and win the title with them.
After the J-League season, he contacted me directly via Zoom and told me that he really wanted me to come, so I decided to move.”
And Maeda, in an interview in his homeland, admits he is still adjusting to Scottish football culture.
He said: "It's a little difficult when the weather is bad - cloudy and rainy - because when we are playing away, there are many pitches where it's muddy and hard to step on. Also, I'm happy and encouraged that Celtic fans are enthusiastic, but sometimes it can be too close. After home games, when I am in my car, there are times when it is difficult to move because it seems that you will be asked for an autograph, you will be surrounded by the car and caught!
"But I can't wait for Champions League football. That anthem is still special. I'm happy to hear that on the pitch and we have least six games in the group stages alone. I'm looking forward to being able to do it."
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